Bolster.



'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

v [JOHN C. WANDS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724, 33, dated April 7,1903;

Application filed December 18, 1902. Serial No. 135,801. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN C. WANDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a cortainnew and usefulImprovement; in Bolsters, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in whichFigure l is a top plan view, partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a side view,partly in vertical section. Fig. 3 is an isometric perspective view ofone head-block shown cast upon the end of the tension member. Fig. 4 isan end View of one head-block, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of one end of atension member.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in bolstersdesigned for use as transoms or truck-bolsters, as maybe desired.

The object of the invention is to provide a light and strong bolsterwith 'a head-block which is cast upon the tension member in one integralpiece, so as to form in the finished bolster an integral end-portionadapted to receive the compression member.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the compression member of the bolster,in the form of a channel slightly cambered at its middle portion andprovided with the downwardly-depending flanges 2.

3 is the tension member of the bolster, in the form of a fiat plate. 4represents headblocks cast upon the ends of said tension member; but asboth ends of the bolster are provided with head-blocks identical inform, for convenience only one will be described herein. 7

Upon the lower face of the head-block are spring-seats 5, above whichthe block is cored out at 6, the openings thereof extending to the endof said head-block, which is provided in casting with the verticalmembers 6 there being a plurality of such members, as illustrated inFig. 4, wherein are shown two, though three or more may be provided, ifdesired. The head-blocks are also provided at their upper side withshoulders 7, against which abut the ends of the compression member 1,while vertical side channels 8, between the outer walls 9 and thecentral portion 10,

upon which restthe ends of said compression member, are provided for theflanges 2 of the compression member, the ends of which com.- pressionmember are preferably flush with thehead-block, as best shown in Fig. 2,the head-block thus forming a thrust-block to take up end thrusts of thesaid compression member. Projecting-upwardly from the face .10 are lugs11, adapted to fit into correspondhead-block is cast upon theend of saidtension member in such manner thata portion of the metal of saidhead-block fills the openings 12 of the tension member and the parts areheld firmly together thereby, the end portion of the tension memberextending well within the head-block and preferably at such angle withrelation to the compression member that lines drawn longitudinallythrough the tension member and compression member will meet within thehead-block.

13 is a strut or king-post secured in position between the compressionand tension members and provided with a passage therethrough for theking-bolt.

14 is a central bearing riveted to the upper face of the compressionmember, and side bearings (not shown) may be secured to the compressionmember, if desired,while bolster column-guides 15 are provided at eachside of the head-block.

I am aware that minor changes in the construction, arrangement, andcombination'of the several parts of my device can be made andsubstituted .for those herein shown and described without in the leastdeparting from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, isv 1. In a bolster, a compression member, atension member provided with a series of openings therethrough, andhead-blocks cast on the ends of said tension member with a portion ofthe metal thereof within the axial line of said tension member;substantially as described.

2. In a bolster, a compression member of channel form, a tension memberformed of a fiat metal plate provided with a series of openingstherethrough, and head-blocks cast on the ends of said tension memberwith a portion of the metal thereof within the axial line of saidtension member; substantially as described.

3. In a bolster, a compression member, a tension member provided with aseries of openings therethrough, and head-blocks cast on the ends ofsaid tension member with a portion of the metal thereof within the axialline of said tension member, the said compression member and saidtension member being so disposed within said head that a line ,drawnlongitudinally of the compression member to the outer edge of thehead-block will intersect a similar line through the tension member,within said head-block; substantially as described.

4. In a bolster, tension and compression members, a cast-metalhead-block formed upon the ends of the tension member thereof and havingintegral retaining-lugs thereon, engaging the compression member, achamber formed in said head-block below the tension member, and aspring-seat below said chamber; substantially as described.

5. In a bolster, tension and compression members, a cast-metalhead-block formed upon the ends of the tension member thereof and havinga seatin its upper portion for the compression member, upwardlyextendingretaining-lugs thereon, a chamber formed in said head-block below thetension member, and a sprin -seat below said chamber; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature, in the presence oftwo witnesses, this 16th day of December, 1902.

JOHN G. WANDS.

Witnesses:

G. A. PENNINGTON, FREDERICK I-I. GIBBS.

